The commitment in VLBI networks (EVN, IVS) covers about 4 months per year (30%). About 10% of time is for observations in conjunction with the antenna in space RadioAstron (a project of the Russian Academy of Science) on the basis of an MoU. The remaining time (60%) is used for single-dish observations in continuum (blazar variability, monitoring of FERMI and PLANCK sources, large-scale surveys) and spectroscopy (masers OH, H2O, methanol) and for geodesy projects. A call for proposals is issued to the international community twice a year and proposals are evaluated on scientific merit by a Time Allocation Committee appointed by INAF. The observatory provides assistance through a staff of engineers and astronomers. The running costs are funded by INAF.

Fully steerable 32m radiotelescope equipped with cryogenic receivers. Radio receivers for VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) and single-dish. Frequency range covered by existing receivers is 300 MHz to 43 GHz Surface accuracy is 0.1 mm Pointing accuracy is about 10 arcsec. Single-dish observations are performed in continuum mode (including polarimetry) and spectroscopy. Back-ends include total power and digital spectrometers.